title: Occult hepatitis B in patients on hemodialysis: a review.
abstract: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most frequently transmitted agents in dialysis units. Occult hepatitis B is characterized by HBV infection without detectable surface antigen (HBsAg) in the patient's serum, a positive or negative HBV DNA marker result in the serum and a positive result in the liver tissue, which leads to the potential risk of transmission during renal replacement therapy service. There is variation in occult hepatitis B prevalence rates in this population across various studies that may be related to numerous factors. The presence of occult hepatitis B in individuals undergoing renal replacement therapy is important with regard to both the possibility of transmission and the consequences for the patient, especially the development of chronic liver disease and reactivation of the disease after renal transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Service, University Hospital of Federal University of Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andrea M M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fontenele
authors.forename: Natalino Salgado
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Adalgisa S P
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens